Democracy in California

Politics and Government in the Golden State, Third Edition

By Brian P. Janiskee and Ken Masugi

Democracy in California: Politics and Government in the Golden State is readable and thought-provoking. It is not the standard 'textbook' example of a textbook. Brian P. Janiskee and Ken Masugi clearly explain the politics and character of California's governmental institutions and the dynamics affecting the lives of its citizens. The third edition is updated throughout and includes analysis of the 2010 election. In addition to thorough coverage of California's constitution and development, this book also examines each branch of government as well as local systems. As Janiskee and Masugi explore the nature of public opinion, parties, and campaigns, they show the effects that the state's diverse population has on all levels of politics and government. Janiskee and Masugi have added case studies to each chapter, bringing ideas to life and challenging the reader to become an active participant in California politics. The case studies are ideal starting points for class discussions. Perfect for courses in American government and state and local politics, Democracy in California is a succinct guide to the governmental intricacies of our nation's most populous state.
« lessmore »

Brian P. Janiskee received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University and is professor and chair of the Department of Political Science at California State University, San Bernardino, where he is also a faculty member in the national security studies program. He has published several articles and books on such topics as special districts, crime policy, presidential elections, American colonial local government, and national security.Ken Masugi received his Ph.D. from the New School for Social Research and teaches for Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Advanced Studies in American Government in Washington, DC. He is editor of Interpreting Tocqueville's "Democracy in America" (described in the American Political Science Review as representing a "revolution in Tocqueville scholarship") and coeditor of four other books on modern and American political thought. A Senior Fellow of the Claremont Institute, Masugi is currently completing a monograph on Democracy in America.

Chapter 1 Preface to the Third EditionChapter 2 IntroductionChapter 3 DiversityChapter 4 A Progressive ConstitutionChapter 5 Public Opinion and the MediaChapter 6 Parties and Interest GroupsChapter 7 Campaigns and ElectionsChapter 8 The LegislatureChapter 9 The ExecutiveChapter 10 The CourtsChapter 11 The Budget and Government FinanceChapter 12 Local GovernmentChapter 13 Epilogue

In their succinct, highly-readable, and now updated guide to California politics, Janiskee and Masugi provide a historical overview and contemporary account of the major constitutional features, governmental arrangements, fiscal practices, and diverse social characteristics of the Golden State.Aiming high, they consciously model their Democracy in California on Tocqueville's Democracy in America. They offer thoughtful meditations on Tocqueville's insights into the principles, problems, and prospects of democratic life. Their aim is uncannily accurate. This is an indispensable book for anyone wishing to understand and assess the successes and failures of California politics and government.— Ralph A. Rossum, Claremont McKenna College

Janiskee and Masugi have done it again with the third edition, producing a cogent analysis of California politics that is both timely and rooted in historical context. With tight prose and thorough research, it shows how Progressivism continues to shape state politics, with results that are often far from progressive. This book is a wonderful brief introduction to the not-always-golden politics of the Golden State.— John J. Pitney Jr., Roy P. Crocker Professor of American Politics, Claremont McKenna College

Democracy in California

Politics and Government in the Golden State, Third Edition

eBook

Summary

Summary

Democracy in California: Politics and Government in the Golden State is readable and thought-provoking. It is not the standard 'textbook' example of a textbook. Brian P. Janiskee and Ken Masugi clearly explain the politics and character of California's governmental institutions and the dynamics affecting the lives of its citizens. The third edition is updated throughout and includes analysis of the 2010 election. In addition to thorough coverage of California's constitution and development, this book also examines each branch of government as well as local systems. As Janiskee and Masugi explore the nature of public opinion, parties, and campaigns, they show the effects that the state's diverse population has on all levels of politics and government. Janiskee and Masugi have added case studies to each chapter, bringing ideas to life and challenging the reader to become an active participant in California politics. The case studies are ideal starting points for class discussions. Perfect for courses in American government and state and local politics, Democracy in California is a succinct guide to the governmental intricacies of our nation's most populous state.

Brian P. Janiskee received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University and is professor and chair of the Department of Political Science at California State University, San Bernardino, where he is also a faculty member in the national security studies program. He has published several articles and books on such topics as special districts, crime policy, presidential elections, American colonial local government, and national security.Ken Masugi received his Ph.D. from the New School for Social Research and teaches for Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Advanced Studies in American Government in Washington, DC. He is editor of Interpreting Tocqueville's "Democracy in America" (described in the American Political Science Review as representing a "revolution in Tocqueville scholarship") and coeditor of four other books on modern and American political thought. A Senior Fellow of the Claremont Institute, Masugi is currently completing a monograph on Democracy in America.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Preface to the Third EditionChapter 2 IntroductionChapter 3 DiversityChapter 4 A Progressive ConstitutionChapter 5 Public Opinion and the MediaChapter 6 Parties and Interest GroupsChapter 7 Campaigns and ElectionsChapter 8 The LegislatureChapter 9 The ExecutiveChapter 10 The CourtsChapter 11 The Budget and Government FinanceChapter 12 Local GovernmentChapter 13 Epilogue

Reviews

Reviews

In their succinct, highly-readable, and now updated guide to California politics, Janiskee and Masugi provide a historical overview and contemporary account of the major constitutional features, governmental arrangements, fiscal practices, and diverse social characteristics of the Golden State.Aiming high, they consciously model their Democracy in California on Tocqueville's Democracy in America. They offer thoughtful meditations on Tocqueville's insights into the principles, problems, and prospects of democratic life. Their aim is uncannily accurate. This is an indispensable book for anyone wishing to understand and assess the successes and failures of California politics and government.— Ralph A. Rossum, Claremont McKenna College

Janiskee and Masugi have done it again with the third edition, producing a cogent analysis of California politics that is both timely and rooted in historical context. With tight prose and thorough research, it shows how Progressivism continues to shape state politics, with results that are often far from progressive. This book is a wonderful brief introduction to the not-always-golden politics of the Golden State.— John J. Pitney Jr., Roy P. Crocker Professor of American Politics, Claremont McKenna College